The Circle of Promise is a 5 mile geographic area in the heart of the City of Boston, containing some of the city’s most challenged schools and disadvantaged communities, as well as great resources and assets.
Within the Circle
168,000 individuals within 61,485 households
17% (28,824) between 6-17
8% (13,024) ages 0-5
51 schools, 12 of which are turn-around schools (2 located in adjacent neighborhoods)
6000 students in the 12 turn-around schools
600 “most at-risk” students within turn-around schools targeted for immediate intervention (based on AAF)
12 City employees (non-BPS) assigned to turn-around schools as liaisons
Liaisons advocate for and coordinate the delivery of non-academic services for students and families. Core areas for assistance to date:
After/Summer school placements
Homelessness
Food/Nutrition
Health – physical and emotional
Clothing (winter coats/ jackets)
Jobs
Family Economic Stability as a Measurement for Community Success
While the Circle of Promise is student and school focused, it is also a family economic stability strategy. Sustainable change powerful enough to break the cycle of poverty requires engaging the family in the most concrete and comprehensive way possible – building capacity through the promotion of pathways to economic self-sufficiency. Research and experience tells us that the strongest schools have active engagement and partnership with families and the community, as well as full services to support students’ social and emotional needs. We know that this cannot be done through the schools alone.
Boston has a wealth of community-based agencies, faith-based institutions, colleges and universities, and strong public and private sector organizations that offer a multitude of services and programs for families. Yet these services are not fully coordinated, and families must navigate a complicated network with little support. The City of Boston’s Circle of Promise, in partnership with LIFT-Boston, provides educational and advocacy services to facilitate seamless access to these opportunities.
Data-driven
Central to ensuring access to opportunities and high quality programs that drive student achievement is a laser focus on data. The City of Boston, with the Boston Public Schools, has been developing a system that allows for shared measures, outcomes, and evaluation across sectors. Over the past two years, the Mayor has led a cross-agency leadership team dedicated to education, health, and human services, which has worked to advance a common agenda for youth and families from birth through college completion. The Circle of Promise will build on and expand this work, particularly efforts such as Thrive in 5 and the Community Learning Initiative, which have laid the groundwork for multi-level partnerships, more integrated systems, and alignment around student success.
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